Education Code of Conduct for Learners
Set by the Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA). Applies to all RECA learners.
Why this is here
Rise courses are RECA pre-licensing and re-licensing education, so every Rise student must follow RECA's Education Code of Conduct for Learners. You agree to follow it when you enrol. Breaching it can lead to failing grades, removal from your course and penalties from RECA, as set out below.
The Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) delivers pre-licensing and re-licensing education for real estate brokers, property managers, mortgage brokers and real estate appraiser professionals. RECA education includes eligibility, enrolment, participation in courses and programs, and passing the associated examinations. This Code of Conduct for Learners applies equally to industry professionals and those who intend to become industry professionals.
An individual's intellectual engagement, personal integrity and ethical conduct are part of the learning process, and are necessary for acquiring new knowledge and developing new skills. As professionals, you are responsible for gaining the knowledge, skills and mindset for continuous improvement so that you are competent in providing services to the public. Competent practice is essential to maintaining the trust, respect and confidence of other professionals and the public.
RECA supports a principles-based approach to learning to develop professional conduct in practice. Learners must demonstrate the principles in this Code of Conduct when taking part in RECA education programs. Do not assist those who are dishonest. It only undermines your integrity, and that of the profession, while enabling incompetent service to the public. All industry professionals are responsible for gaining the knowledge and skills to ensure their own competence in delivering services to the public. Take this opportunity to be the best professional you can be.
Principle 1: Learners will be actively engaged in their education and make their best efforts to acquire the knowledge and develop the skills set out by the learning outcomes for that course or program
Learners need to engage intellectually when completing RECA courses. This means they must read all content and complete all knowledge checks. Learners must work through all course content, knowledge checks and exams, seeking to acquire the knowledge and expected skills of the course or program.
Examples of learners breaching this principle:
- Carrying on multiple unrelated activities at the same time that take away from the ability to fully absorb course content
- Using mobile devices to carry out work activities or communications during classroom instruction
- Having unrelated conversations with others during classroom instruction
- Skipping through content or failing to read all course content
- Failing to review incorrect responses to determine the correct response or outcome
Principle 2: Learners will at all times conduct themselves with honesty, integrity and respectfulness
Learners must not cheat or take part in any conduct that results in them completing a course, program, knowledge check or exam from a source outside of their own knowledge. Learners can get advice from others if an assignment or activity's guidelines allow it. Learners must be familiar with all examination guidelines and follow them. They must treat other learners, facilitators, exam proctors, RECA staff and education partners with respect. Any questions or challenges must be respectful and only for obtaining a proper outcome, without insult, threat or false accusation.
Examples of learners breaching this principle:
- Attempting to cheat by accessing other computer programs, online windows, external websites, emails, texts or instant messages
- Using prohibited devices, such as cell phones, personal digital devices or translation devices, during an exam
- Engaging, or attempting to engage, others to complete their course or write their exam under a false or fictitious identity
- Acting in an abusive manner towards other learners, facilitators, proctors or RECA staff
- Bringing notes or other information into examinations where the guidelines do not allow them
- Copying, or trying to get, answers to examination questions from others
- Seeking exam answers from industry peers on social media (e.g. Facebook) or in other online real estate chat groups or forums
Principle 3: Learners may assist other learners when the assistance supports their engagement in the learning process and results in their honest acquisition of knowledge and skills
Learners must not help other learners cheat, or help them complete a course, knowledge check or exam in a way that prevents or takes away from those learners honestly acquiring the knowledge and skills. Learners can assist other learners by providing training and advice that helps them understand the course material.
Examples of learners breaching this principle:
- Completing assignments or writing examinations for others under a false or fictitious identity, or knowingly giving false information
- Providing answers or taking part in any form of cheating during an examination
- Completing any part of an online or classroom course for another learner
- Providing other learners with the answers to pre-licensing or re-licensing courses
- Allowing other learners to copy their answers during examinations
- Sharing exam answers on social media (e.g. Facebook) or in other online real estate chat groups or forums
Principle 4: Learners will support RECA's education requirements and conduct themselves in a manner that does not undermine the integrity, efficacy and efficiency of any aspect of RECA's education
Learners should not involve themselves in activities that reduce the efficiency or effectiveness of RECA education courses, programs or examinations.
This principle is not intended to prevent learners from voicing concerns about RECA's education programs. RECA welcomes constructive criticism and suggestions as part of its efforts to improve its education offerings.
Examples of learners breaching this principle:
- Being disruptive during examinations or in a classroom setting
- Collecting, copying or reproducing any part of an exam, by any means
- Distributing quiz or exam questions or answers to other learners
- Maintaining a database of quiz or exam questions or answers
- Collecting examination questions or answers to share with other learners, potential learners or brokerages
- Attempting to access RECA online courses, programs or examinations without the appropriate permission
- Attempting to disrupt, hack or otherwise compromise RECA's ability to deliver its online courses, programs or examinations
- Using RECA's electronic or print education material outside of the applicable course or program, or for purposes other than its intended use
Education and Disciplinary Outcomes
Individuals who breach the Education Code of Conduct for Learners may be subject to disciplinary action and education program outcomes, such as:
- Failing grade(s)
- Course or program suspension
- Expulsion from RECA education courses or programs
RECA may deny an authorization and issue an Administrative Penalty of up to $25,000 to learners who are not industry professionals and who breach the Education Code of Conduct. Learners who are industry professionals and who breach the Education Code of Conduct may be found to have engaged in conduct deserving of sanction and may receive discipline ranging from an Advisory Note to licence cancellation. RECA will refer all breaches of the Education Code of Conduct for Learners that constitute a criminal offence to the applicable police (law enforcement) agency.
Questions about the Code of Conduct or your course? Email help@rise-academy.ca. See also our Terms & Conditions.